Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's met
with President of Somaliland Ahmed Silanyo and reiterated US support for
continued dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland authorities.

"Yesterday, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman met with
Somaliland administration President Ahmed Silanyo. Under Secretary Sherman and
President Silanyo discussed issues of mutual concern, including stability,
democracy and governance, and the need to combat Al-Shabaab", said the State
Department in a statement Friday.

"The United States expressed support for continued dialogue between the
Government of Somalia and Somaliland authorities, as took place in Turkey on
April 13. The United States reiterated its strong support for a peaceful and
united Somalia", added the statement.

Somaliland is a non-recognized self declared state that is internationally
classified as an autonomous region of Somalia.